A seniors advocacy group is urging the province to scrap mandatory medical check-ups for drivers 75 and over.
“Seniors are safe drivers,” said Ruth Adria, with Elder Advocates of Alberta Society.
“They are not a threat to road safety, so why are we spending millions of dollars and great anguish across the province by monitoring that segment of the population?”
Seniors over 75 undergo mandatory medical check-ups. Doctors can also request they take additional cognitive tests known as SIMARD MD and DriveABLE.
But Adria thinks the tests are ineffective tools in determining who is safe on the road.
“They are blindsided by this mental test, SIMARD MD, which academics have told us sets you up for failure,” she said. “Then you are referred to the DriveABLE computer-based test and there’s a good likelihood you will fail that test also.”
The province says suspended licences can be appealed to the Alberta Transportation Safety Board.
The group is meeting Tuesday morning with Transportation Minister Wayne Drysdale.
Former minister Ric McIver had said he wanted to scrap the tests.
